Nestled inside Winston-Salem, N.C., is the beautiful, historic area of Reynolda. It’s the perfect day-trip destination offering everything from boutique shopping and delicious fare to tranquil gardens and world-class art.
Reynolda is a 170-acre, historic area that includes Reynolda Gardens, Reynolda Village and The Reynolda House Museum of American Art. The origins of this entertainment, shopping and recreation destination trace back to the R.J. Reynolds tobacco empire.
Reynolda’s History
Company founder, Richard Joshua Reynolds, his wife, Katharine, and their children lived in downtown Winston-Salem near their tobacco factories during the early 1900s. When wealthy families starting building estates outside of cities, a national trend called the American Country House movement, the Reynolds clan followed suit, according to Reynolda House history.
The trend was in pursuit of a healthier and more tranquil lifestyle. These country homes were large with green spaces to explore and recreational options to enjoy.
In 1917, after three years of construction, the Reynolds' new home, Reynolda, was complete. The home, which is lovingly preserved today, has sixty rooms including a main reception hall with a large, stone fireplace and a dual staircase leading to the wrap-around balcony above. There’s also a study, formal dining room, eight bedrooms, an indoor pool and a squash court.
The total historic footprint of Reynolda is more than 34,000 square feet and it's listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Reynolda is what you’d expect in a wealthy, Southern family's home. With its shaded porches supported by large round columns, you can imagine relaxing afternoons sipping sweet tea while admiring the estate's lake and vast acreage.
Originally, Reynolda was situated on 1,000+ acres, which included a working agriculture and dairy farm, a lake, expansive lawns, a formal English-style garden and woods.
Reynolda House Today
In 1964, Reynolda became Reynolda House, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to arts and education. The home is open for tours and features special programming and exhibits throughout the year.
In addition to the home's beauty and storied history, Reynolda House features a permanent collection of over 6,000 historic objects and an impressive collection of American art. The collection spans 250 years and includes notable artists such as Georgia O’Keefe, John Singer Sargent and Andy Warhol.
A special exhibit on display until Dec. 31, 2023, is "Zach & Libby: Two Rings, Seven Months, One Bullet" about the suspicious death of R.J. Reynolds’ son, which made national headlines at the time and remains unsolved. Curious? Then click the "Things to do in Winston-Salem" tag at the end of this post to find our story, "Death, Money & Mystery Down South: The Unsolved Case of Zachary "Smith" Reynolds."
Admission to tour Reynolda House is $18 per person and includes the exhibition.
Entertainment Destination With A Farming Past
Adjacent to the Reynolda House is Reynolda Village, which was designed to look and feel like an English village. This area was once the heartbeat of the estate's working agricultural and dairy farm, but today it's a popular place to meet friends for lunch or a little shopping.
All the shops and restaurants are housed in small, cottage-like buildings. The only exception is the large, former dairy barn building, which serves as a landmark for the village.
Every village building is white with a green roof, just like the Reynolda House exterior. The grounds are thoughtfully maintained so everywhere you look are flower beds, freshly cut lawns, mature trees and large containers overflowing with seasonal plants. The village is beautiful during the day and extra charming at night when restaurant patios are illuminated by overhead cafe lights.
From the eclectic Penny Path Cafe and Crepe Shop to the classic cuisine of the Village Tavern, there are dining options for everyone.
My savory spinach and artichoke crepe at Penny Path was delicious and filling. The cafe has a cool, artsy vibe with its unique decor. There's something to discover everywhere you look including original artwork and a path in the floor made of pennies that runs up the wall and around a large picture window. The kitchen is surrounded by a curved bar and overhead is a large structural piece made of metal gears.
If you're in the mood for a more traditional, yet modern, restaurant and bar, then the Village Tavern is your spot. A long-standing favorite in town, the tavern is what I like to call "casual nice" or "upscale casual."
The restaurant is small and intimate with tables and bar seating. I prefer outdoor dining among the mature shade trees while enjoying a delicious bowl of shrimp and grits. Sunday brunch is especially popular, so arrive early.
In the former dairy barn building, delicious baked goods are the focus of Dough-Joes’ Coffee & Doughnuts on the lower level. Dough-Joe's is popular! A steady stream of people stop in for coffee and then enjoy it while sitting at tables and benches on the front patio.
On the barn's upper level is Theodore’s Bar & Market featuring traditional cafe fare. Theodore's has a warm, comfortable cafe environment, but the best part is just outside it's door – an enclosed breezeway featuring a long, rustic dining table in the heart of the dairy barn.
It's so charming to sit in the breezeway among baskets hanging from the ceiling and original doors that once lead to where milk was stored. My suggestion, order a charcuterie board and enjoy it in the breezeway or at one of the outdoor picnic tables.
For shop-o-holics, the village offers plenty of options. There are retailers for jewelry, home decor, linens, and clothing for the entire family.
Check out the women's boutiques Monkee’s (especially for the shoes) and Gazebo. From candles to sleepwear, McCalls has a wide variety of merchandise. The selection of clothing for children and infants is especially nice.
The independent bookstore, The Bookhouse, hosts writing groups, readings, trivia nights and a children’s hour. The store features a bar menu if you want a cup of coffee or a glass of wine while you browse among the books or sit and read for a spell. The store's staff also curate 'Sip 'n Read' pairings, matching up books with a specialty drink.
Need a break? Then schedule a time at one of the village salons or the full-service European Touch Day Spa.
Outdoor Spaces to Explore
Personally, what I enjoy about Reynolda Village and Reynolda Gardens is the thoughtful design, natural beauty and abundance of outdoor activities. The village buildings are nestled among small, rolling hills dotted with large, stately trees.
In addition to patio dining at every restaurant, there are benches throughout the grounds for enjoying your coffee to-go or reading a good book.
People are always out and about in the village and the green spaces of the gardens. It’s common to see people picnicking, playing frisbee, jogging and just strolling along window shopping.
Walking or jogging the paved paths and soft dirt trails of Reynolda Gardens is especially popular. The trails wind alongside the wetlands, which was once Lake Katharine, through the woods and across the main lawn of the Reynolda House estate.
The path around the main part of the estate is also an official N.C. Birding Trail. Sites include waterfalls, bridges, a boathouse and the outdoor pool where the Reynolds family used to swim. The entire trail is 3.9 miles long. Leashed dogs are allowed.
Escape into Reynolda's Formal Gardens
A visit to historic Reynolda isn't complete without seeing the greenhouse and the formal gardens. The formal gardens are divided into sections or rooms called "parterres," which is a French term for a symmetrical landscape design that uses plants, such as low hedge lines, to create distinct ornamental gardens with paths between the beds.
According the formal garden's history, it's four parterres are the Pink & White Garden, West Rose Garden, East Rose Garden and the Blue & Yellow Garden. The gardens incorporate a variety of trees, perennial flowers, shrubbery, fountains, Japanese-style tea houses and pergolas.
A garden highlight are the numerous sitting areas. It's so relaxing to find a spot and just listen to the sounds of the birds and water fountains.
Adjacent to the gardens, is the estate’s original greenhouse. Built in 1913, the greenhouse is used to grow plants from around the world, including orchids. Throughout the year, the greenhouse is also the site of a popular plant sale.
Pets, with the exception of service animals, are not allowed in the formal gardens. Other restrictions for the formal gardens include no food or drink and no blankets or furniture placed on the grass. Picnicking is fine in green spaces outside of the formal gardens.
Check Out What’s Happening
Be sure to check the event calendar for Reynolda House, the village and the gardens. There’s always something interesting going on such a film screenings, expert talks, painting classes and educational programs for children.
For instance, a viticulturist will discuss local wines and grapes on Nov. 14, 2023, and an evergreen decoration class is planned on Dec. 1. On the first Sunday of every month, is a family painting workshop where children and their parents learn about an artist from the Reynolda House art collection as inspiration for their own painting.
When to Visit Historic Reynolda: Operating Hours
•Reynolda House – Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Sundays from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. Check the website for holiday hours.
•Reynolda Village – Varies by merchant. Most retailers are open during typical business hours and the restaurants stay open well into the evening.
•Reynolda Gardens and Trails – Open everyday during daylight hours. No pets in the formal gardens. Leashed dogs are allowed on the trails and other green spaces.
•Greenhouse – Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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